sion upon the
private conference of the two friends.

"That is a famous soldier, Henry; he was at the siege of Charleston, and
last year at Savannah. He has had some hard blows, and can tell you more
of war than you have ever read in all your studies."

"He wears a curious uniform," said Henry, "for a regular soldier. What
is his name?"

"Galbraith Robinson--or Horse Shoe Robinson--to give him his most
popular distinction. But it would be well to keep his name secret."

"I have heard of Horse Shoe," said Henry, with an expression of great
interest. "So, this is the man himself? From all reports he is as brave
as"--

"As who?" asked Butler, smiling at the tone of wonder with which Henry
spoke.

"As Caius Marcius Coriolanus, who, I make no doubt, major, was about the
bravest man in the books."

Butler laughed, and applauded the young martialist for his
discrimination.

The road from the foot of the hill pursued the left, or northern, bank
of the Rockfish, which shot along, with a rapid flood, over the rocks
that lay scattered in its bed; and the gush of whose flight fell upon
the ear like the loud tones of the wind. From either margin it was
shaded by huge sycamores, whose tops, at this twilight hour, were marked
in broad lines upon the fading sky, and whose wide spreading boughs met,
from side to side, over the middle of the stream, throwing a deeper
night upon the clear and transparent waters. The valley was closely
bound by high precipitous hills, whose steep crags and narrow passes
seemed to echo and prolong the gush of the stream, that was now mingled
with the occasional lowing of cattle, the shriek of the owl, and the
frequent hoarse scream of the whip-poor-will.

When our party had advanced about a mile along this road, Henry Lindsay
took his bugle and blew a blast which seemed to dance in its
reverberations from one side of the river to the other.

"Mildred knows my signal," said he; "that is the scout's warning:
cavalry approaches: dress your line: prepare to receive a general
officer."

"Henry, pray drop your military phrase, and tell me what this means?"
said Butler.

"Ride on till you arrive beneath the Fawn's Tower. Wait for me there. I
will give you a signal when I approach: and trust me for a faithful
messenger. The river is deep at the rock, but you will find a boat
fastened to this bank. When you hear my signal come across. Mr. Dimock's
is only another mile; and, I'll warrant, the old lad